Here's what I wish someone had told me before our first EU move: the microchip isn't a formality you can slot in whenever. It has to come first, before the rabies shot, or the clock never really starts. Every time we've relocated, it came down to getting that one detail in the right order. We've all been there, so let me walk you through it calmly, step by step.

Bringing a pet to EU requires three documents in the right order: a microchip, a rabies vaccine within the destination's wait window, and a government-endorsed health certificate. The table below lays out exactly what's required, what's not, and where each rule comes from.

How European Union handles your pet

An EU pet passport issued to a pet owner resident in Great Britain is no longer a valid document for travelling with pets from Great Britain to the EU.

Each fact comes straight from the operator’s published policy. Hover the to read the exact wording; the opens the source page.

Cabin policy

Minimum age12 weeks“…to Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/688 as amended, as follows: The animal must be at least 12 weeks old on the date the primary vaccine was administered. The date of administratio”verified 2026-07-07
Advance booking notice48 hours“Clinical examination Within 48 hours prior to the time of dispatch, dogs, cats and ferrets must undergo a clinical examination carried out…”verified 2026-07-07
Advance booking required Yes“The owner must, at the time of entry, contact the competent authority present at the point of entry for the purposes of the documentary and identity checks.”verified 2026-07-08

Hold & cargo policy

Hold: Minimum age12 weeks“on Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/688 as amended as follows: The pet animal was at least 12 weeks old at the date the vaccine was administered.”verified 2026-07-08

Health & documents

Health certificate required Yes“coccus multilocularis) , where applicable. details of the clinical examination. Health certificate Dogs, cats and ferrets must be accompanied to the place of destination by an individual health certificate (model in…”verified 2026-07-07
Health certificate validity10 days“…sampling, and where applicable, the details of the treatment against Echinococcus multilocularis valid for 10 days from the date of issue by the official veterinarian until the date of the documentary and identity…”verified 2026-07-08
Health certificate validity90 days“…after the date of the primary vaccination, or within a current valid vaccination series, and not less than 90 days before the date of issue of the animal health certificate accompanying the animal movement. The test mus”verified 2026-07-08
Microchip · Required Yes“Passport Each individual dog, cat or ferret must have its own passport (see model in Annex I to Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/705), issued by an official or an authorised veterinarian and documenting:…”verified 2026-07-07
Microchip · Tattoo accepted Yes“Identification EU countries shall authorise the movement into their territory of dogs, cats and ferrets identified by a clearly readable tattoo if applied before 3 July 2011”verified 2026-07-08
Microchip · Must be done before vaccination Yes“be valid, your pet must have been microchipped before the vaccination is given”verified 2026-07-06
Rabies titer test (FAVN) · Required Yes“Rabies antibody titration test The pet animal (dog, cat or ferret) must undergo a rabies antibody titration test in accordance with Annex XXI, point 1 to Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/692 as follows.”verified 2026-07-08
Rabies titer test (FAVN) · Minimum level iu ml0.5“…months prior to the date of issue of this certificate, proved an antibody titre equal to or greater than 0.5 IU/ml and any subsequent revaccination was carried out within the period of validity of the preceding…”verified 2026-07-08
Rabies titer test (FAVN) · Approved laboratory required Yes“Designated laboratories for performing rabies antibody titration tests EU and related countries Non-EU countries Travellers point of entry Pet dogs, cats and ferrets entering the EU from a non-EU country (with a few…”verified 2026-07-07
Rabies titer test (FAVN) · Test must follow vaccination days30 days“…out without undue delay after sample collection on a sample collected by an authorised veterinarian at least 30 days after the date of the primary vaccination, or within a current valid vaccination series, and not less…”verified 2026-07-08
Health certificate · Issueran official veterinarian“…(model in chapter 61 of Annex I to Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/403 as amended), issued by an official veterinarian of the EU country of dispatch. The veterinarian must: state the registration or”verified 2026-07-07
Health certificate · Required Yes“y out the non-commercial movement on behalf of the owner (1): (1) delete as appropriate. [TABLE] Transponder/tattoo(1) alphanumeric code | Animal health certificate number EN 9 EN Section B Additional requirements for…”verified 2026-07-08
Health certificate · Endorsed bycompetent authority“…and issued by an official veterinarian or by an authorised veterinarian and subsequently endorsed by the competent authority confirming the animal’s fitness to travel documenting the alpha-numeric code displayed by the microchip or…”verified 2026-07-08
Health certificate · Validity days10 days“(b) This certificate is valid for 10 days from the date of issue by the official veterinarian until the date of the Official…”verified 2026-07-08
Health certificate · Government endorsed Yes“d by an official veterinarian or by an authorised veterinarian and subsequently endorsed by the competent authority confirming the animal’s fitness to travel documenting the alpha-numeric code di”verified 2026-07-08
Microchip required · Microchip required Yes“Passport Each individual dog, cat or ferret must have its own passport (see model in Annex I to Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/705), issued by an official or an authorised veterinarian and documenting:…”verified 2026-06-19
Rabies vaccination · Required Yes“Rabies vaccination The pet animal (dog, cat or ferret) must be vaccinated against rabies by an official or an authorised veterinarian in accordance with Annex VII, Part 1 to Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/688…”verified 2026-07-08
Rabies vaccination · Booster required Yes“ecifications in Article 70a of Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/2035). Rabies vaccination Dogs, cats and ferrets must be vaccinated against rabies by an official or an authorised veterinarian in ac”verified 2026-07-07
Rabies vaccination · Waiting period after vaccination21 days“…vaccination, or are between 12 a nd 16 weeks old and have received an anti-rabies vaccination, but 21 days at least have not elapsed since the comp letion of the primary vacc ination against rabies carried out…”verified 2026-07-08
Rabies vaccination · Max vaccine age at travel6 months“…EU countries, the certificate is valid from the date of the documentary and identity checks for a total of 6 months or until the date of expiry of the anti-rabies vaccination whichever is earlier”verified 2026-07-08
Rabies vaccination · Min age at vaccination16 weeks“28 are less than 12 weeks old and have not received an anti-rabies vaccination, or are between 12 and 16 weeks old and have received an anti-rabies vaccination, but 21 days at least have not elapsed since the…”verified 2026-07-08
Tapeworm treatment · Drugpraziquantel“…(EU) No 1152/2011; - consist of an approved medicinal product which c ontains the appropriate dose of praziquantel or pharmacologically active substances, which alone or in combination, have been proven to reduce the…”verified 2026-07-08
Tapeworm treatment · Required Yes“d laboratory on the results of the rabies antibody test referred to in point II.3.1 shall be attached to the certificate.”verified 2026-07-08
Tapeworm treatment · Window max hours before arrival24“Be administered by a veterinarian within a period of not more than 120 hours and not less than 24 hours before the time of scheduled entry”verified 2026-07-08
Tapeworm treatment · Window min hours before arrival24“Be administered by a veterinarian within a period of not more than 120 hours and not less than 24 hours before the time of scheduled entry”verified 2026-07-08
Internal parasite treatment · Required Yes“Treatment against tapeworm Echinococcus multilocularis Pet dogs (not pet cats or pet ferrets) must be treated against the parasite Echinococcus multilocularis prior to entering: any EU country listed in Annex XIX to…”verified 2026-07-08
Internal parasite treatment · Drug acceptedpraziquantel“…treatment must: Consist of an approved veterinary medicinal product which contains the appropriate dose of praziquantel or pharmacologically active substances which alone or in combination has been proven to reduce the burden of…”verified 2026-07-07

Service & assistance animals

Documentation required Yes“entification Dogs, cats and ferrets must be identified by the implantation of a microchip approved by the competent authority (see technical specifications in Article 70a of Commission Delegated Regulation (EU)…”verified 2026-07-07

Timing chain

Day -90 microchip implant · Day -21 rabies vaccine deadline · Day -10 health certificate issued · Day 0 arrive at customs

The microchip must be implanted before the rabies vaccination for that vaccination to count as valid. A shot given before the chip does not qualify, regardless of the vaccine used. Book the microchip appointment first. Confirm the chip is readable and logged. Only then schedule the rabies vaccination so the sequence holds and the record stands.

Frequently asked

Does my pet need a microchip for EU?
Yes. EU requires an ISO-standard microchip, and it must be fitted before the rabies vaccination to be valid.
How long before travel must the rabies vaccine be given for EU?
The rabies vaccine must take effect at least 21 days before entry, and can be given from 16 weeks of age. Travelling before that window makes the vaccination invalid at the border.
What if my flight is delayed past my health certificate validity?
If the certificate window expires before you board, you'll need a re-issue. Build a 1-2 day buffer between the cert date and departure to absorb minor delays.
What happens if I forget a document?
At the destination airport: at best, an extended inspection while you produce backup; at worst, the pet is held in quarantine or returned to origin at your cost. Bring printed copies.
The EU health certificate is valid for 10 days from the date of issue by the official veterinarian. Travel must begin within that 10-day window. Schedule the certifying vet visit close to the departure date. Confirm the issue date on the document. Count forward 10 days and keep the entry crossing inside that period.
Getting the order right sounds fiddly, but once you see it laid out it clicks. Cooper's three EU trips taught me that the sequence and the paperwork timing are what trip people up, not the destination itself. Don't try to hold all these dates in your head. Build your personalized plan with Pawgo's plan-builder, tell it your exact route and dates, and let it map the countdown for you.
Get YOUR personalized plan for EU →

Glossary

ISO chip
ISO 11784/11785 — the universal microchip standard.
FAVN
Fluorescent Antibody Virus Neutralization — a rabies serology test required by rabies-free destinations.
Brachycephalic
Snub-nosed breeds (French Bulldogs, Pugs, Persians, Himalayans) with restricted airline acceptance due to heat-stress risk.
AVIH
Animal Vehicle In Hold — IATA's term for cargo pet shipment, with fees that vary by carrier and route.